I have studied all the great information on the forum related to turning the rear Volt reflectors into lights. I tried the "take them apart and add LEDs" method - one reflector came apart so easily I wondered what all the fuss was about. The other one, which was bought at the same time, was impossible to split apart - the glue refused to budge, even at elevated temperature (240 degrees!). I actually ended up melting the plastic, and it STILL wouldn't come apart.
So, now I am thinking about drilling a couple of holes in the back of the reflector and adding 10mm Superbright red LEDs to illuminate the reflectors. I read where someone was trying this, but I haven't heard how, or if, it worked, and how well it worked. I would want the rear reflectors to match the brightness of the corner tail lights. They will operate as running lights and brake lights.
The challenge I am having in researching / designing the discrete LED method has to do with the 20 - 30 degree view angle of most LEDs (I found some that are 40 degrees) and how to arrange them in the reflector so the whole thing illuminates evenly. 1.) Behind the black center mask, pointed sideways? 2.) At the edges, both sides, pointing towards the center (sideways)? 3.) Something else?
Any advice / experience would be appreciated! Thanks!
Best Regards,
e